Yoon supporters shocked after impeachment over martial law bid: Video
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been impeached by lawmakers over his controversial attempt to impose martial law.
The decision has left his supporters in shock, while opposition groups celebrate what they call a victory for democracy.
On December 3, President Yoon declared martial law, citing the need to root out "anti-state forces" and overcome political obstruction. The move was met with immediate backlash, leading to mass protests and a swift parliamentary vote to rescind the declaration.
The impeachment vote, held on December 14, saw 204 out of 300 lawmakers in favour of removing Yoon from office. This marks the second time in recent history that a South Korean president has faced impeachment, following the removal of Park Geun-hye in 2017.
Yoon's supporters, who had gathered in Seoul to show their backing, were left in disbelief as the news broke. Many expressed their frustration and disappointment, feeling that their leader had been unfairly targeted by political opponents.
"I don't think this is true, and I don't think it's fair that this is the president that I elected and he's been impeached like this, I think it's treason and I don't agree with this," Kim Ho-jun, a protester in support of President Yoon Suk Yeol told AFP.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders and their supporters hailed the impeachment as a triumph for the rule of law and democratic principles. "The people have spoken," declared Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party. "This is a victory for all South Koreans who believe in justice and accountability."
